… and now I have the gear to prove it!
Chooch and I got up bright and early this morning to get started on my 24 hour monitoring EEG. I have to wear the recording devices on my left hip, since the right is already taken up with the heart monitor recorder. When I’m having vertigo/migraine/nausea/whatever I have to hit a button on each. The EEG recorder marks when the symptom occurs and I keep a journal detailing what symptoms I was experiencing. The heart monitor recorder actually triggers a recording of my vitals for about 90 seconds after I hit the button.
The first time I had a dizzy spell, I froze and went for both buttons and was instantly reminded of the Old West, when a gunfighter would go for both holsters in a gunfight. Hence, the silly pose with my strangely intense expression.
If only I had the necessary pieces (and skill), I think I could fashion this into and interesting photo. If the sensors were sticking straight out, and the wires were copper… If I had some copper foil to wrap the ‘umbilical’ wrapped jumble of wires that comes out from the back of my head, down my shirt and connects to the device… Ah, well. The lost theatrical opportunity is just one more regret in all of this.
Luckily, I’ve had several dizzy spells today. They have been minor and brief, but it’s all data for the diagnosis so I’m not complaining! And in case you are wondering, yes. It’s extremely itchy where each electrode is ‘cemented’ to my scalp. I’m sure I’ll be in heaven once I get it taken off and wash all the gritty cement off my head. I’m not complaining, mind you! I know how lucky I am to have good insurance, a thoroughly intrigued set of doctors, a patient boss and lovingly supportive husband.
3 replies on “Mom Always Said I Was Special…”
It’s cyber-Viv! Watch out world, she’s wired.
I hate to seem self promoting, but I have to memorialize this here so it doesn’t get lost in Twitter. Jared just said I was his “favorite neuromancing gunslinger”. That phrase right there is worth the itchy cement!
Thanks to all for the kind words in Twitter! It’s very much appreciated that I can put myself out there and get positivity in return!
i remeber the eeg test, i know how annoying the wires were. Did they sonogram your heart? Some of the symptoms like migraines are caused by a hole in the heart. Anyway best of luck!